Buy a Manitowoc Ice Machine….
March 11, 2016
Clean it and hug it every day. Get in touch with their authorized service rep. He will keep it running for years. I bought mine in 1996. My service man keeps suggesting I may need a new one soon and then he fixes it for less than $200.00. I really do hug it and pat […]
Spring Menus
March 9, 2016
My favorite menu of the year is spring. Navarin of Lamb is coming back (Spring Lamb Stew with Vegetables). But some of the other items Chef Justin and I are looking at: English Peas, Asparagus, Morels, Roasted Chicken, White Bean Soup with Pancetta, Tempura Baby Heirloom Carrots, Artichokes (best in May when the California crop comes […]
Chef Justin Kurtz
March 2, 2016
I hired Justin Kurtz as our chef several months ago. I was at a crossroads with Babette’s and my own role in the restaurant. I had turned over the kitchen a couple of times over the years to people who had been on my staff and they took the role as Chef de Cuisine or […]
Open Table Diner’s Choice Winner!
February 25, 2016
Babette’s Cafe has been recognized recently by Open Table as a Diner’s Choice Thank you to everyone who takes the time to review us! It matters!
How to Start a Busy Weekend
February 12, 2016
It’s going to be a busy weekend at the restaurant. We’re fully booked with people who preplan – thank you – this weekend for Valentine’s Day A busy weekend in the restaurant will end better if I start with comfortable shoes. They might be ugly though.
You Have to Know What Clean Really Is….
February 10, 2016
I scrub the faucet handles on the hand sink in the kitchen. There are instructions on the food handling tests that the Chef, Sous and Manager have to take in Georgia that tell us all how to wash our hands. It instructs for how long and for us to let the water run while grabbing a paper […]
My Beautiful Daughter.
February 4, 2016
The first time I brought my daughter to the restaurant she was in a car carrier and I placed her into a steam well in the kitchen while I prepped. She was three weeks old. She slept and I was euphoric that I could roll out pastry dough, bake tarts, cut meat and put soup on […]
Thermostat Emergency at a Restaurant in Atlanta
January 27, 2016
The glamorous life of a restaurant chef/owner… Sunday: A thermostat for our heaters on the back deck was not working very well. The heaters were clicking on and off. We’re a restaurant in Atlanta, in January. We need our heaters if we want to use our lovely deck. Monday: I called my Heating & Air […]
How to Throw a Dinner Party
October 25, 2014
I have a wonderful neighbor who needed some help. She purchased everything for a dinner party through our “Pantry”. When she came to our home to borrow some soup bowls, she was nervous. I sent some instructions home with her. She said the evening was magical! Bread Service: Sprinkle a litte water on the top […]
Women Chefs – French Restaurant Atlanta GA
July 17, 2015
I was recently at an industry event with a panel of chefs and restaurateurs answering questions about their successes, failures, challenges, etc. One audience member asked why there were no women on the panel. The host of the event stood and said they would be having another event with just women chefs later in the […]